Composition, in particular cosmetic, comprising DHEA and/or a precursor or derivative thereof, combined with at least a no-synthase inhibitor

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition intended for administration by the oral or topical route and comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, DHEA and/or a chemical or biological precursor or derivative of the latter, in combination with at least one NO-synthase inhibitor. This composition can be used for cosmetic purposes, for preventing or treating irritation of the skin and/or sensitive skin and/or for signs of cutaneous aging. In an alternative form, it can be used for treating the scalp and/or hair or as reducing composition. The NO-synthase inhibitor can be chosen in particular from: lipochroman-6, a grape extract, an olive tree extract, a Gingko biloba extract or epicatechin.

1 . A method of treating signs of cutaneous aging of skin comprising applying a composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a sapogenin or a natural extract comprising it, in combination with at least one nitric oxide-synthase (NO-synthase) inhibitor, to skin in need thereof.  
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a sapogenin selected from the group consisting of diosgenin, hecogenin, smilagenin, sarsapogenin, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a natural extract selected from the grop consisting of fenugreek extract, extract of Dioscorea, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises wild yam root extract.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an NO-synthase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of lipochroman-6, a grape extract, an olive tree extract, a  Gingko biloba  extract, epicatechin, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises sapogenin in an amount ranging from 0.0001 to 10% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises sapogenin is present in an amount ranging from 0.001 to 5% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the composition comprises sapogenin in an amount of approximately 1% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises an NO-synthase inhibitor in an amount ranging from 0.001 to 1% total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       11 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a DHEA salt, a DHEA ester, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       16 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cutaneous sign of aging is wrinkles, frownlines, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cutaneous sign of aging is withered skin.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cutaneous sign of aging is lack of elasticity.